The Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is a venomous snake endemic to parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The word "mamba" comes from a borrowing from Zulu imamba which comes from Proto-Bantu *mbámbà. Specimens vary in colour from grey to dark brown, but not black. Juvenile black mambas tend to be lighter in colour than adults and darken with age. It is the longest species of venomous snake indigenous to the African continent; mature specimens generally exceed 2 meters (6.6 feet) and commonly attain 3 meters (9.8 feet). Specimens of 4.3 to 4.5 meters (14.1 to 14.8 feet) have been reported.
